What is considered the best vintage MONO speaker driver?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Simple question. I've got a growing collection of MONO records and fancy a MONO only speaker to do things properly. Things is, I know bugger all about what's considered to be a good driver. Ideally I'd like something as good as it gets and it has to be vintage. OK, what do you guys suggest?

[walpurgis]

I'm assuming you want a single driver to cover the full audio range Andy? The obvious vintage choices are Tannoy and Lowther.

[mik_rik]

Quad ESL57

[Barry]

Voigt corner horn. :D

http://www.lowthervoigtmuseum.org.uk/lowtherVoigt.html

or a Quad 57 ESL (but then I would say that).

[Wakefield Turntables]

I'm assuming you want a single driver to cover the full audio range Andy? The obvious vintage choices are Tannoy and Lowther.

Yep single driver, full audio range. I've got Tannoy, lowther could be an option. I might even just try a single 15" MG and see how that sounds.


Quad ESL57


Voigt corner horn. :D

http://www.lowthervoigtmuseum.org.uk/lowtherVoigt.html

or a Quad 57 ESL (but then I would say that).

OK, why the ESL57, I have a pair by the way. Voigt again, I did think of that.

[Barry]

Regarding the Quad 57, they were introduced to the public in 1955 (the date 1957 is in error, but it has been so well propagated that Quad themselves have now adopted the designation) originally as a single channel loudspeaker. After serial number c. 200, there were some small changes made to the directivity, so as to make them suitable for stereo usage.

I'm entirely biased (as I have used a pair exclusively for the last 45 years), but I find the Quads reproduce jazz and orchestral chamber music perfectly to my ears.


But on a more philosophical point, why do you think you need a single channel system to reproduce monophonic records? True, they were intended to be played on single channel record players; and some would argue that that is how they should be heard. Yet when I discussed this very point with a keen collector of classical music mono LPs, he replied that he much preferred to hear them on a two-channel system because he could hear some depth to the music.

By the way I listen to all my mono LPs on a two channel system (but select the 'mono' option on the pre-amp, that way any 'ticks', 'clicks' and 'pops' are centred and largely masked by the music).

[Wakefield Turntables]

I just fancy a "purist" system.

[walpurgis]

How about a top quality vintage Japanese full range driver?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224003245955?hash=item3427a24783:g:c40AAOSwp49etVK b

I had a pair of the ten inch units, they were stunning!

[Edward]

Perhaps using a mono cartridge is the more "purist" way of doing things?

A while ago I listened to a well set up vinyl rig playing mono vinyl using a mono cart into a stereo Tannoy system. The depth and "being there" realism was out of this world.

§

[Lawrence001]

I'd agree a mono source is essential for authenticity of sound. I'm not sure if they used "extension" speakers even before stereo to extend the apparent soundfield, but if so then playing on a pair of speakers could still be considered authentic.

Don't discount the large early Wharfedale units like this corner one. (You only want pre Rank Alnico drivers though).

https://images.app.goo.gl/j9SSi7JWKuFR6aBG6

[SPS]

In its day many considered the acoustical (quad) corner ribbon,
Rather expensive and rare, but the ribbon tweeter is quite something,
Probably very slightly let down by the bass driver.
The large klipschorn and tannoy where also well regarded ?
I have a book on this very subject somewhere, Written In the 50s

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've a SPU mono GM mk 2 https://www.ortofon.com/spu-mono-p-608

I've considered getting a new 12" tonearm and having it wired mono. I have also a fully dual mono phonostage which I'd considered using just one channel and
getting a RCA adapter for mono duties. That way I'd have mono pickup, tonearm wiring, phonostage, and of course just going through one channel on the amp to a mono speaker. Theoretically I can do also this now but it's always nice to have new suggestions and ideas.

[Bencat]

Then a single Mono Quad ESL57 is the way to go as has been said that was the original intention of the design as it was only or mainly mono recordings at the time . When stereo became more popular then they were slightly changed to be used as a pair but it is very possible to get a current speaker returned to the mono voicing which would then be a real authentic full mono set up .

[Barry]

I've a SPU mono GM mk 2 https://www.ortofon.com/spu-mono-p-608

I've considered getting a new 12" tonearm and having it wired mono. I have also a fully dual mono phonostage which I'd considered using just one channel and
getting a RCA adapter for mono duties. That way I'd have mono pickup, tonearm wiring, phonostage, and of course just going through one channel on the amp to a mono speaker. Theoretically I can do also this now but it's always nice to have new suggestions and ideas.

How many contact 'pips' are there on the Ortofon cartridge connector? If 4, then there is no need to have an arm specially re-wired. Just leave the arm as it is, the two leads will carry identical signals, so you don't even have to do anything with the preamp.

[Lawrence001]

Then a single Mono Quad ESL57 is the way to go as has been said that was the original intention of the design as it was only or mainly mono recordings at the time . When stereo became more popular then they were slightly changed to be used as a pair but it is very possible to get a current speaker returned to the mono voicing which would then be a real authentic full mono set up .

I remember seeing a diagram of how the sound spread across the panel at different times to make it sound better, was this p related to just height or part of the L/R stereo voicing? (Which would presumably mean they have to be used in strict L/R positions or they'd sound wrong, which I've not heard of.)

Sent from my BKL-L09 using Tapatalk

[Wakefield Turntables]

I should have a rek-o-cut III equaliser on its way from the US of A. More experimentation with some of my early pressings. Should be a hoot when using with MONO STUFF.

[sailor]

Try these guys: http://www.glowinthedarkaudio.com/speakers.html

They sometimes have the odd field coil driver!

Also Norelco (Philips)

Many others but perhaps avoid the Fostex which tend to shout and also Visaton B200 which have a nasty upper midrange peak which is a pity because they are sensitive and beautifully detailed. I tried a simple notch filter but it killed the life that these are known for. The best but still not satisfactory solution was to tame the mids mechanically. I found mounting two 4" foam paint rollers vertically, one above the other in front of the cone angled slightly in towards the centre helped. These were on OB. The foam absorbs a little of the offensive range and aids dispersion. This ugly looking contraption is best hidden behind a speaker grill.

I also tried a phase plug by removing the dust cover and placing a 15/16" socket on the magnet. Changed the sound but don't think it helped much.

There were some Saba greencones for sale a while ago which would be a good candidate and cheap too. Good luck.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks Charles, I'll put your suggestions on a LONG list!!!!!

[palace]

Simple question. I've got a growing collection of MONO records and fancy a MONO only speaker to do things properly. Things is, I know bugger all about what's considered to be a good driver. Ideally I'd like something as good as it gets and it has to be vintage. OK, what do you guys suggest?

I first heard a Quad ESL at the 1956 Radio Show Olympia London a single speaker, voiced for mono. It was so "real", in 1957 the ESL was re-voiced for stereo, recently my wife reminded me I bought new my first Quad 57's in 1979 not as I thought 1984. It may be worth contacting Quad or One Thing Audio to see if a Quad 57 could be voiced for mono, what the difference is I do not know but my young ears were impressed & still are with my One Thing Audio version.

As Peter Walker said "with the right amplifier they do produce bass" I use a Rogue Titan Atlas Magnum with KT 120's & Audyn Reference output caps coupled with Mills resistors Peter Walker was correct

[Wakefield Turntables]

I first heard a Quad ESL at the 1956 Radio Show Olympia London a single speaker, voiced for mono. It was so "real", in 1957 the ESL was re-voiced for stereo, recently my wife reminded me I bought new my first Quad 57's in 1979 not as I thought 1984. It may be worth contacting Quad or One Thing Audio to see if a Quad 57 could be voiced for mono, what the difference is I do not know but my young ears were impressed & still are with my One Thing Audio version.

As Peter Walker said "with the right amplifier they do produce bass" I use a Rogue Titan Atlas Magnum with KT 120's & Audyn Reference output caps coupled with Mills resistors Peter Walker was correct


Hi John,

Thanks for your input. I own a pair of OTA Quad 57's! Must admit to not dragging mine out of the attic. I do however now use a Rek-o-kut III Re-equaliser when the mood takes me and this is fed into two very large Tannoy Monitor 15" gold speakers, which I love. They do a very fine job of reproducing MONO reproduction. Perhaps not the best but I'm more than happy with the soundstage.

[palace]

Hi John,

Thanks for your input. I own a pair of OTA Quad 57's! Must admit to not dragging mine out of the attic. I do however now use a Rek-o-kut III Re-equaliser when the mood takes me and this is fed into two very large Tannoy Monitor 15" gold speakers, which I love. They do a very fine job of reproducing MONO reproduction. Perhaps not the best but I'm more than happy with the soundstage.

Just looked it up the Rek-o-kut III Re-equaliser reminds me of the work EMI/Decca did in the 1970's on 78rpm records quite a few were 65rpm -85 rpm & even more extreme they also adjusted for equalisation for 78's and early microgroove 33.3 rpm records I think Audacity do something similar; are you going to get a 78 rpm Rek-o-kut turntable as well. I no longer have any 78's when I left home my mum threw the "them old things "out.

[Wakefield Turntables]

No 78's. Just lots of fun digging into old charity and record shop crates looking for early MONO recordings, I've probably got 100 now.